Sign up for the free Helena This Week newsletter and stay in the loop on Helena city government, public school meetings, business news and upcoming entertainment and events.
06/01/2026
City to consider options for transit system’s budget shortfall
Helena is considering funding options to address a $200,000 shortfall in its public transit services, including potentially reducing the program, which advocates say would greatly impact Helena’s elderly and disabled community.
As the Helena City Commission nears adoption of the 2027 fiscal year budget, transportation services staff presented theirs earlier this month, which showed a $201,403 deficit. While staff recommended using cash reserves from the city’s transit fund to balance the budget, they said that doing so is not a sustainable option.
“Basically, the general fund can’t sustain the current match needs,” Transportation Services Director David Knoepke said during a commission administrative meeting May 13.
The city commission is now faced with figuring out how to fund the transit services beyond this upcoming fiscal year. According to transportation staff and City Manager Alana Lake, there are options, including raising fares, raising taxes or reducing services.
“The issue I see … is that we’re then subsidizing a service that few utilize in the community,” Lake said during the meeting. “The commission’s challenge there will be determining: Is this an essential service that we consider?”
“We’re either gonna have to talk about other sources of funding, other methodologies to look toward, or potentially where we need to cut services back on this topic,” Lake added.
But decreasing the program has caught the attention of Helenans who heavily rely on public transportation, which includes buses and vans.
“I am not reading between the lines when I say that statement communicates, with unmistakable clarity, that people like me do not matter,” Jacob Krissovich, who is blind, said in a written public statement that was read by Commissioner Melinda Reed during a commission meeting May 18.
“[Lake] was communicating to Helena’s disabled residents, our elderly neighbors, our veterans, and everyone who depends on public transit, that their presence in this city is an inconvenience — that they are, in effect, not welcome here,” Krissovich stated in his written comment.
The city has seen a significant decrease in state and federal grants, leading to a budget deficit, city staff said.
In an interview with Montana Free Press, Krissovich wondered why the state and federal cuts don’t seem to be affecting other Montana cities in the same way.
“ So why is Helena impacted?” Krissovich said. “Maybe there is decreased funding, but why is it hitting us harder?”
Krissovich added that he hopes the city looks for other ways to fund its transit system besides raising prices because those who primarily use the services, such as disabled community members, veterans and the elderly, often live on a fixed income and don’t have other options for getting around. He added that an investment in the city’s transit is an investment in Helena.
And if transit problems don’t get better, Krissovich said he would consider leaving the city.
“If Capital Transit reduced their services or cut them, I mean, I have to be employed, like I don’t have another means to get to work,” Krissovich said. “So I don’t wanna move. I love it in Helena, but if we did not address this issue properly, then yes, I would have no choice but to look at moving.”
Although potential service reductions were mentioned at the recent meeting, the city’s staff has so far not discussed what those would look like.
“As Manager Lake stated during the May 13 meeting, staff is in the very preliminary stages of discussing how to address the long-term sustainability challenges facing our transit system due to ongoing deficit,” City Public Information Officer Amanda Opitz told MTFP in an email last week. “At this time, no specific service reduction proposals have been developed or discussed in detail.”
Public Notice
Helena’s 6th Ward neighborhood will be busy with construction this summer after the city hired Homestead Handy to repair and install 50 ADA ramps in the area, according to the city. Improvements began last week and will last through the end of August. While pedestrian walkways will be temporarily obstructed, alternative routes will be provided.
The primary election is tomorrow, meaning it’s too late to mail your ballot, although you can still drop off your ballots at the Lewis and Clark County Elections Office on the first floor of the City-County Building by 8 p.m. Tuesday. To find more information about candidates, visit the MTFP Election Guide. Residents can still register to vote as long as you’re in line at a polling station by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
5 Things to Know in Helena
The East Helena School Board voted last week to expel a high school student for 18 months after he attacked a teacher earlier this year. The EHHS junior, Colton Galliher, pled guilty to assaulting high school teacher Erik Pritchard in March after he heard the teacher was inappropriately looking at Galliher’s sister, according to a KTVH article. The school board also entered into a agreement with the teacher, who will leave the district at the end of June.
Helena Public Schools welcomed new board of trustee members Keller Higbee and Lisa Cordingley last week, along with returning trustee Keith Meyer, who stepped in to fill a board vacancy this past school year. Trustee Jennifer Walsh was also sworn in as the new board chair after Jennifer McKee’s term ended.
The Helena area high school graduations are this weekend, starting with the Project for Alternative Learning’s ceremony Friday, June 5, at 1 p.m. at Helena Middle School. Helena High School’s graduation will take place Saturday, June 6, at 9 a.m. at Carroll College’s Nelson Stadium, weather permitting. Capital High School’s ceremony will be Saturday, June 6, at the same venue and will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Lewis and Clark County residents must pay the second half of their property taxes by 5 p.m., Monday, June 1. Residents can pay their bill in person at the City-County Building, 316 N. Park Ave., in room 113, pay online or mail their payment to the county property tax department. Note that online payment fees will be applied. For more information about how to pay property taxes, visit the county website here.
A Helena Valley home was destroyed last week by a fire along with surrounding vehicles and other property, according to an IR story. The Helena West Valley Fire Rescue responded to the fire at the intersection of Valleyview Road and Applegate Drive. While no injuries were reported, the property is a “complete loss,” said the department’s fire chief, David Hamilton. As of last Friday, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
New on the Block
A new marijuana shop will open this June at 122 N. Rodney St., the former location of the Rodney Street Laundry, according to the IR. The Helena shop, Sacred Sun Farms, will be the business’ fourth location in the state with other dispensaries located in Bozeman, Wolf Point and Glendive.
Might Be Fun
Helena community members are organizing dating events this month. The 406 Meet Markets are intended for young, single people in the Helena area aged 23 to 39 who are looking for long-term relationships. Here are the upcoming events:
- Speed dating on Saturday, June 20, at the Quench Elixir House, 101 N. Last Chance Gulch, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Mix and mingle table games on Friday, June 26, at Headwaters Crafthouse, 2125 N. Last Chance Gulch, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
To sign up, participants must fill out a form and pay a $65 fee.
Looking for a new addition to your family? The Lewis and Clark Humane Society will host a kitten & puppy show Monday, June 8, at Blackfoot River Brewing Company from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is an opportunity for folks to meet and adopt pets. A dollar from every beer sold will be donated to the humane society.
